If you’re a fan of gambling, a casino might be the place for you. While gambling can be fun, it’s also a sure-fire way to lose money. A survey of U.S. adults shows that 24% of American adults visited a casino in the past year. Of those, 24% had a college degree, and 28% had at least some college credits. Of the rest, nearly half had not attended college.
The casinos industry first exploded in the 1950s in Nevada, but many legitimate businessmen didn’t want to get involved. Since gambling was illegal in most states, these casinos were illegal. Fortunately, organized crime figures had ample cash to invest in gambling, and didn’t care about its shady image. As a result, money poured into Nevada and Atlantic City casinos and some of these establishments were even owned by gangsters.
Security at a casino begins on the floor. Employees at the casino monitor game play and patron behavior. Dealers are focused on their own game, and can spot if anyone is cheating. Pit bosses and table managers also monitor tables. Those employees can identify suspicious behavior from a video feed. During the early days of the casino, gambling was the primary past time of Italian aristocrats. Despite its illicit nature, gambling was a common pastime, so nobles were aware when to expect the Italian Inquisition.
A good casino’s surveillance measures include a specialized surveillance department and a physical security force. The former patrols the casino floor and responds to calls for help, while the latter operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, which is often referred to as the ‘eye in the sky’. These two departments work closely together to ensure the safety of casino guests and safeguard their assets. Comps can also be used for advertising and trend tracking.